Despite the awful weather this week, thankfully Crowborough’s pitch was just playable but very soft underfoot making running rugby difficult.

As is the norm between these two sides, the games always seem to be tight affairs, and on this occasion Medway just prevailed. Had Medway been more clinical earlier in the game the tight, the nerve jingling finish would not have been necessary!

The visitors started the game the better of the two sides with the benefit of the breeze and slight slope. Territory and possession were rewarded with a penalty after 5 minutes to give Medway the lead. Two minutes later, the visitors butchered the simplest of scoring opportunities with the try line begging and a four on one overlap.

Having survived this early scare, Crowborough then got their game going and enjoyed a sustained period of possession but were unable to find any weaknesses in the solid Medway defence.

On 25 minutes, James Dance fielded a loose Crowborough clearance kick and released Glenn Wadsworth who did brilliantly to beat several defenders and set Sam Catlin up for the try under the posts, 10 – 0. The remainder of the half was forgettable with not much happening!

Medway again started the second period the better of the two teams and missed a penalty after 4 minutes to extend their lead. Throughout the game Medway looked more threatening whilst in possession but failed on several occasions to finish good scoring opportunities.

Crowborough on the other hand looked less dangerous, but one got the feeling that unless Medway did extend their lead, Crowborough would score, and set up another tight finish to the game.

In accordance with the script, and after 22 minutes of the second half, the home team did score under the posts. Choosing a scrum from a close range penalty they were unable to push the Medway pack back over the line, the ball was moved to the backs and Walters ghosted through sloppy defence in the Medway midfield for an easy try.

Medway reacted well and for the next ten minutes dominated possession and field position but again, scoring opportunities went begging. Crowborough broke free and moved down the field into the Medway 22 for the dying minutes of the game. Despite going close, Medway’s defence remained firm and they were mightily relieved to hear the final whistle and get off the pitch with a narrow win under their belts.

Not the greatest game of rugby, but both sides did well given the difficult underfoot conditions. For Medway Tom Beaumont was outstanding and the front five of Cooley, Humphrey, Petch (sub Brice), Easton and Weobley (sub Reddish) did well to match the home teams powerful scrum.

Medway team;

Petch, Humphrey, Cooley, Easton, Weobley, Huntley, Beaumont, Samuela, Dance, Best, Liua’ana, Fussell, Burns, Catlin, Wadsworth, Brice, Chalmers, Reddish.

Next game is away at Tunbridge Wells in the League on Saturday 25th January 2014, kick-off 1415.